Super junction trench power MOSFET devices

ABSTRACT

In a super junction trench power MOSFET (metal oxide semiconductor field effect transistor) device, a column of p-type dopant in the super junction is separated from a first column of n-type dopant by a first column of oxide and from a second column of n-type dopant by a second column of oxide. In an n-channel device, a gate element for the FET is advantageously situated over the column of p-type dopant; and in a p-channel device, a gate element for the FET is advantageously situated over the column of n-type dopant.

This application is related to the co-pending U.S. patent applicationwith Ser. No. 12/549,190, filed Aug. 27, 2009, by Gao et al., andentitled “Super Junction Trench Power MOSFET Device Fabrication,”assigned to the assignee of the present application.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

Embodiments in accordance with the present invention generally pertainto semiconductor devices.

BACKGROUND

To conserve power, it is important to reduce power losses in transistorsthat are used, for example, in direct current (DC) to DC converters. Ina metal oxide semiconductor field effect transistor (MOSFET) device, andin particular in the class of MOSFETs known as power MOSFETs, powerlosses can be reduced by reducing the device's on-resistance (Rdson).

Breakdown voltage provides an indication of a device's ability towithstand breakdown under reverse voltage conditions. Because breakdownvoltage is inversely related to Rdson, it is adversely affected whenRdson is reduced. To address this problem, super junction (SJ) powerMOSFETs, which include alternating p-type and n-type regions below theactive regions of the device, were introduced. The alternating p-typeand n-type regions in a SJ power MOSFET are ideally in charge balance(Q_(p)=Q_(n)) so that those regions deplete one another under a reversevoltage condition, thereby enabling the device to better withstandbreakdown.

SUMMARY

Even though conventional SJ power MOSFETs provide advantages such as theone described above, there is room for improvement. For example, inconventional SJ trench power MOSFET devices, the p-type columns andn-type columns that form the super junction may diffuse into one anotherwhen they are heated during fabrication; this diffusion will reduce thebreakdown voltage. Also, the p-type columns are floating so thatcarriers in those columns cannot be removed rapidly, and thusconventional SJ trench power MOSFET devices are generally considered tobe unsuitable for use in high speed circuits. Furthermore, the densityof the active devices is limited in conventional SJ trench power MOSFETdevices by the placement of each trench gate; for example, in aconventional n-channel device, the trench gate is placed between twop-type columns (that is, the gate is placed over an n-type column).

In one embodiment according to the invention, an SJ trench power MOSFETdevice includes a super junction that includes alternating columns ofp-type dopant and n-type dopant. For example, the super junctionincludes a column of p-type dopant that, on one side, is separated froma first column of n-type dopant by a first column (or layer) of oxideand, on its other side, is separated from a second column of n-typedopant by a second column (or layer) of oxide. The oxide layers keep theadjacent n-type and p-type columns from diffusing into one another whenthe device is heated during fabrication. Hence, the oxide layers canprevent breakdown voltage from being adversely affected by thefabrication process.

In another embodiment, in an n-channel device, a p-type column in thesuper junction is picked up and shorted to a source, so that thecarriers in the p-type column can be swept away rapidly when theresultant body diode is switched from on to off; in a p-channel device,an n-type column in the super junction is picked up and shorted to asource to similar advantage. Accordingly, a SJ trench power MOSFETdevice with this feature is better suited for use in high speedcircuits.

In another embodiment, in an n-channel device, gate elements (e.g.,trench gates) for the FETs are situated over columns of p-type dopant inthe super junction instead of over columns of n-type dopant. By aligningthe trench gates with the p-type columns, the widths of the n-typecolumns can be reduced. In a p-channel device, gate elements for theFETs are situated over columns of n-type dopant in the super junctioninstead of over columns of p-type dopant so that the widths of thep-type columns can be reduced. Accordingly, the trench gates can beplaced closer together, increasing the cell density, which also has theeffect of further reducing the on-resistance (Rdson) of the SJ trenchpower MOSFET device.

In yet another embodiment, an SJ trench power MOSFET device incorporateseach of the features just described.

These and other objects and advantages of the present invention will berecognized by one skilled in the art after having read the followingdetailed description, which are illustrated in the various drawingfigures.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and form a part ofthis specification, illustrate embodiments of the invention and,together with the description, serve to explain the principles of theinvention. Like numbers denote like elements throughout the drawings andspecification.

FIGS. 1 and 2 are cross-sectional views showing elements ofsemiconductor devices according to embodiments of the present invention.

FIGS. 3A, 3B, and 3C illustrate a flowchart of a process that is used inthe fabrication of a semiconductor device according to embodiments ofthe present invention.

FIGS. 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21,22, 23, 24, and 25 are cross-sectional views showing selected stages inthe fabrication of a semiconductor device according to embodiments ofthe present invention.

FIG. 26 is a cross-sectional view showing elements of a semiconductordevice according to another embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In the following detailed description of the present invention, numerousspecific details are set forth in order to provide a thoroughunderstanding of the present invention. However, it will be recognizedby one skilled in the art that the present invention may be practicedwithout these specific details or with equivalents thereof. In otherinstances, well-known methods, procedures, components, and circuits havenot been described in detail as not to unnecessarily obscure aspects ofthe present invention.

Some portions of the detailed descriptions that follow are presented interms of procedures, logic blocks, processing, and other symbolicrepresentations of operations for fabricating semiconductor devices.These descriptions and representations are the means used by thoseskilled in the art of semiconductor device fabrication to mosteffectively convey the substance of their work to others skilled in theart. In the present application, a procedure, logic block, process, orthe like, is conceived to be a self-consistent sequence of steps orinstructions leading to a desired result. The steps are those requiringphysical manipulations of physical quantities. It should be borne inmind, however, that all of these and similar terms are to be associatedwith the appropriate physical quantities and are merely convenientlabels applied to these quantities. Unless specifically stated otherwiseas apparent from the following discussions, it is appreciated thatthroughout the present application, discussions utilizing terms such as“forming,” “performing,” “producing,” “depositing,” “etching” or thelike, refer to actions and processes (e.g., flowchart 300 of FIGS. 3A,3B, and 3C) of semiconductor device fabrication.

The figures are not drawn to scale, and only portions of the structures,as well as the various layers that form those structures, may be shownin the figures. Furthermore, fabrication processes and steps may beperformed along with the processes and steps discussed herein; that is,there may be a number of process steps before, in between and/or afterthe steps shown and described herein. Importantly, embodiments inaccordance with the present invention can be implemented in conjunctionwith these other (perhaps conventional) processes and steps withoutsignificantly perturbing them. Generally speaking, embodiments inaccordance with the present invention can replace portions of aconventional process without significantly affecting peripheralprocesses and steps.

As used herein, the letter “n” refers to an n-type dopant and the letter“p” refers to a p-type dopant. A plus sign “+” or a minus sign “−” isused to represent, respectively, a relatively high or relatively lowconcentration of the dopant.

The term “channel” is used herein in the accepted manner. That is,current moves within a FET in a channel, from the source connection tothe drain connection. A channel can be made of either n-type or p-typesemiconductor material; accordingly, a FET is specified as either ann-channel or p-channel device. FIGS. 1-25 are discussed in the contextof an n-channel device, specifically an n-channel super junction MOSFET;however, embodiments according to the present invention are not solimited. That is, the features described herein can be utilized in ap-channel device as shown in FIG. 26, described further below. Thediscussion of FIGS. 1-25 can be readily mapped to a p-channel device bysubstituting n-type dopant and materials for corresponding p-type dopantand materials, and vice versa.

FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view showing elements of a semiconductordevice 100 (e.g., an n-channel SJ trench power MOSFET device) accordingto an embodiment of the present invention. The device 100 includes adrain electrode 102 on the bottom surface of an n+ drain layer orsubstrate 104. Alternating p− drift regions or p-type columns 106 and n−drift regions or n-type columns 108 are located above the substrate 104.The alternating p-type (p−) columns 106 and n-type (n−) columns 108 formwhat is known as a super junction. Significantly, the columns 106 ofp-type dopant are separated from the adjacent columns 108 of n-typedopant by isolation layers or columns 110 (e.g., a layer/column ofdielectric or oxide). The isolation layers 110 keep the n-type andp-type columns 106 and 108 from diffusing into one another when thestructure is heated during fabrication, as described below. Hence, theisolation layers 110 can prevent breakdown voltage from being adverselyaffected by the fabrication process.

Also of significance, in the example of FIG. 1, each p-type column 106is located under a respective polysilicon (poly) trench gate 111 (gatepoly 111). Generally speaking, each trench gate 111 is aligned betweenadjacent isolation layers 110 and above a corresponding p-type column106. More specifically, each trench gate 111 is aligned along thelongitudinal axis of a corresponding p-type column 106 (given theorientation of FIG. 1, the longitudinal axis is a vertical line within ap-type column)—in one embodiment, the longitudinal axis of a trench gate111 coincides with the longitudinal axis of a p-type column 106 suchthat the trench gate is centered over the p-type column. In the FIG. 1embodiment, the p-type columns 106 are separated from the trench gates111 by a respective isolation layer 109, which may be formed of amaterial that is different from the material used for the isolationlayers 110.

By aligning the trench gates 111 with the p-type columns 106, the widthof the n-type columns 108 can be reduced. Accordingly, the trench gatescan be placed closer together, increasing the cell density, which alsohas the effect of further reducing the on-resistance (Rdson) of thedevice 100. In one embodiment, the pitch between adjacent trench gatesis approximately 1.2 microns, as opposed to five microns in conventionaldevices.

Another advantage associated with the structure in FIG. 1 is that thegate-to-drain charge (Qgd) is reduced because the amount of overlap 122between a trench gate 111 and an adjacent n-type column 108 is small. Inone embodiment, the amount of overlap 122 is approximately 0.1 microns.

In the FIG. 1 embodiment, a trench 125 is formed between adjacent trenchgates 111, above the n-type columns 108. More specifically, each trench125 is aligned along the longitudinal axis of a corresponding n-typecolumn 108—in one embodiment, the longitudinal axis of a trench 125coincides with the longitudinal axis of an n-type column 108 such thatthe trench is centered over the n-type column. The trench 125 is filledwith a source metal 124.

A p+ region (p-type contact region 112) separates the source metal 124in each trench 125 from a corresponding n-type column 108. A p− region(p-type body region 114) is situated on each side of each trench 125,between the trench and a trench gate 111 and also between the sourcemetal 124 and an n-type column 108. Also, n+ regions (n-type sourceregions 116) are situated on opposite sides of each trench 125 as shownin FIG. 1.

The p-type (p−) body regions 114 and n-type (n+) source regions 116 areseparated from a respective trench gate 111 by another isolation layer120 (e.g., a gate oxide). As will be seen, the isolation layers 110 and120 are formed at different points in the fabrication process and so maynot be aligned as shown in FIG. 1. Also, the isolation layers 110 and120 may be made using different materials. Nevertheless, the isolationlayers 110 and 120 provide a nearly continuous boundary in they-direction of FIG. 1, and in that sense can be characterized as singlecolumns of isolation material.

An insulating layer 118 can be formed over each n-type source region 116and each trench gate 111. The source metal layer 124 is formed over theinsulating layer 118 and, as mentioned above, extends into the trenches125.

According to an embodiment of the invention, the p-type columns 106 arepicked up and electrically shorted to the source metal layer 124. Oneway to accomplish this is shown in FIG. 2, which is a cross-sectionalview of the device 100 along the cut line A-A of FIG. 1; that is, theview presented in FIG. 2 is in the third dimension (z) orthogonal to thetwo dimensions (x and y) shown in FIG. 1.

In the FIG. 2 embodiment, a trench 225 is formed to connect acorresponding p-type column 106 to the source metal layer 124. Thetrench 225 is filled with metal, and the metal in the trench 225 isseparated from the trench gate 111 by the n-type column 108, a polyregion 211, and isolation layers 120, as shown in the figure. Byshorting the p-type columns 106 to the source metal layer 124, thecarriers in the p-type columns can be swept away rapidly when theresultant body diodes are switched from on to off. Accordingly, thedevice 100 is better suited for use in high speed circuits.

FIGS. 3A, 3B, and 3C illustrate a flowchart 300 of one embodiment of aprocess that is used in the fabrication of semiconductor devices such asthe devices of FIGS. 1 and 2. Although specific steps are disclosed inFIGS. 3A-3C, such steps are exemplary. That is, embodiments according tothe present invention are well suited to performing various other stepsor variations of the steps recited in FIGS. 3A-3C. FIGS. 3A, 3B, and 3Care discussed in conjunction with FIGS. 4 through 25, which arecross-sectional views showing selected stages in the fabrication of asemiconductor device according to an embodiment of the presentinvention.

In block 302 of FIG. 3A, an epitaxial layer 402 (FIG. 4) of p− dopant isgrown over an n+ substrate 104. The substrate 104 may include a drainelectrode layer 102 (FIG. 1).

In block 304, a first dielectric layer 502 is deposited over theepitaxial layer 402, and a layer 504 of photoresist (PR) is depositedover the dielectric layer (FIG. 5). The dielectric layer 502 may be, forexample, a thermal oxide or an oxide deposited via sub-atmosphericpressure chemical vapor deposition (SACVD).

In block 306, a first mask (not shown) is formed, and exposed portionsof the photoresist layer 504 and dielectric layer 502 are etched away asshown in FIG. 6. The remaining portions of the dielectric layer 502correspond to the isolation layers 109 of FIG. 1.

In block 308, portions of the p-type epitaxial layer 402 are also etchedaway, forming the p-type columns 106 as shown in FIG. 7. The etch of theepitaxial layer 402 may extend to a relatively slight extent into thesubstrate 104. The etching material applied in block 308 may bedifferent from that used in block 306. In block 310, the remainingphotoresist layer 504 is removed (FIG. 8).

In block 312 of FIG. 3A, a second dielectric layer 902 (FIG. 9) is grownor deposited over the exposed surfaces of the isolation layers 109 andthe p-type columns 106. In particular, the dielectric layer 902 isformed on opposite sides of the p-type columns 106 as well as over theisolation layers 109, in effect forming layers or columns of dielectricmaterial on either side of the p-type columns. The material used for thesecond dielectric layer 902 may be different from that used for theisolation layers 109. Also, the second dielectric layer 902 may berelatively thin (on the order of 300-500 Angstroms) in comparison to thethickness of the isolation layers 109.

In block 314 of FIG. 3A, the portion of the dielectric layer 902 (FIG.9) that is adjacent to the substrate 104 is removed as shown in FIG. 10,a process that may be referred to as bottom oxide breakthrough. Theportions of the dielectric layer 902 on either side of the p-typecolumns 106 are not removed; those portions correspond to the isolationlayers 110 of FIG. 1. The portions of the dielectric layer 902 that areover the isolation layers 109 may also be removed in part or in entiretyas part of the bottom oxide breakthrough process. In other words, afterbottom oxide breakthrough, the substrate 104 is exposed as shown in FIG.10, while the isolation layers 109 may consist of either only thematerial deposited as part of the first dielectric layer 502 (FIG. 5) ora combination of the materials included in the first dielectric layer502 and the second dielectric layer 902. Also in block 314, after bottomoxide breakthrough, an epitaxial layer 1002 of n− dopant is grown overthe substrate 104 and around the structures comprising the p-typecolumns 106 and isolation layers 109 and 110.

In block 316 of FIG. 3A, a layer of photoresist is applied and thenselectively removed to form a mask 1102 as shown in FIG. 11. The mask1102 will be used to form a termination trench 1202 in the n-typeepitaxial layer 1002 as shown in FIG. 12. The termination trench 1202may extend into the substrate 104. The mask 1102 can then be removed,also as shown in FIG. 12.

In block 318 of FIG. 3A, a third dielectric layer 1302 is grown ordeposited (e.g., using SACVD) inside the termination trench 1202 andover the n-type epitaxial layer 1002 as shown in FIG. 13. The materialused for the third dielectric layer 1302 may be different from thematerial(s) used for the isolation layers 109 and 110. The thirddielectric layer 1302 can then be cured or annealed using adensification process. Importantly, the isolation layers 110 prevent orlimit the diffusion of the p-type columns 106 and the n-type epitaxiallayer 1002 into one another during the densification process and at anyother time in the fabrication process during which the structure may beheated.

In block 320 of FIG. 3A, the dielectric layer 1302 is etched back suchthat the level of dielectric in the termination trench 1202 isessentially level with the upper surface of the n-type epitaxial layer1002 as shown in FIG. 14.

In block 322 of FIG. 3B, a layer of photoresist is applied and thenselectively removed to form a mask 1502 as shown in FIG. 15. Theopenings 1504 in the mask coincide with the locations of the p-typecolumns 106. The widths of the openings 1504 (measured in thex-direction of FIG. 15) may be less than the widths of the p-typecolumns 106 in order to avoid issues with the alignment of the openingsand the p-type columns. In other words, as will be seen, the mask 1502will be used to form trenches over the p-type columns 106, and ideallythose trenches will not extend beyond the outer edges of the p-typecolumns.

In block 324 of FIG. 3B, with reference to FIGS. 15 and 16, the portionsof the n-type epitaxial layer 1002 underlying the openings 1504 areetched away, forming trenches 1602 that extend to the isolation layers109. The portions of the epitaxial layer 1002 that are not etched awaycorrespond to the n-type columns 108 of FIG. 1. The mask 1502 can thenbe removed.

In block 326 of FIG. 3B, a gate oxide layer 1702 (FIG. 17) is grown overthe exposed surfaces of the isolation layers 109 and n-type columns 108,including the sides and bottoms of the trenches 1602. The material usedfor the gate oxide layer 1702 may be different from the material(s)included in the first dielectric layer 502 (FIG. 5) and the seconddielectric layer 902 (FIG. 9). The isolation layers 109 of FIG. 1 mayinclude the gate oxide layer 1702 as well as material(s) from the firstdielectric layer 502 and the second dielectric layer 902—in other words,although depicted in the figures as a single homogeneous layer, inactual practice the isolation layers 109 may include different isolationmaterials. Furthermore, depending on the widths of the trenches 1602,the portions of the gate oxide layer 1702 that line those trenches maycoincide with the isolation layers 110, forming essentially continuouscolumns of isolation material in the vertical (y-direction) of FIG. 17.

In block 328 of FIG. 3B, a polysilicon (poly) layer 1802 is depositedover the gate oxide layer 1702 and into the trenches 1602 as shown inFIG. 18.

In block 330 of FIG. 3B, a chemical-mechanical planarization orpolishing (CMP) process can be used to remove some of the poly layer1802 (FIG. 18), down to the gate oxide layer 1702. An etch back processcan then be used to remove more of the poly layer 1802, to form recessedelements as shown in FIG. 19. These recessed elements correspond to thetrench gates 111 of FIG. 1.

In block 332 of FIG. 3B, with reference also to FIG. 20, a blanket p−dopant is implanted into the device 100—that is, into the n-type columns108—to form the p-type (p−) body regions 114 of FIG. 1. The p-type bodyregions 114 are shallower in depth (in the y-direction of FIG. 20) thanthe trench gates 111.

In block 334 of FIG. 3B, a source mask 2102 is formed over thetermination trench 1202 and the adjacent regions as shown in FIG. 21,and n+ dopant is then implanted into the p-type body regions 114 to formthe n-type (n+) source regions 116 of FIG. 1. In this manner, trenchgates are formed over the p-type columns 106 instead of over the n-typecolumns 108. By forming the trench gates over the p-type columns 106,the gates can be placed closer together, increasing the cell density,which also has the effect of reducing Rdson. After the n-type sourceimplant, the mask 2102 can be removed.

In block 336 of FIG. 3B, a layer of low temperature oxide (LTO) followedby a layer of borophosphosilicate glass (BPSG) are deposited—theselayers are identified as layer 2202 in FIG. 22. (For clarity, not all ofthe gate oxide regions 1702 are identified in FIGS. 22 and 23.)

In block 338 of FIG. 3B, a layer of photoresist is applied over thelayer 2202 and then selectively removed to form a mask 2302 withopenings 2304 that coincide with the n-type columns 108, as shown inFIG. 23. The materials underneath the openings 2304—the portions of thelayer 2202, the gate oxide 1702, the n+ source regions 116, and portionsof the p-type body regions 114 that are underneath those openings—canthen be etched away to form the insulating layers 118 of FIG. 1, andalso to form the trenches 125 that expose the n+ source regions 116,p-type body regions 114, and gate pickup regions. The insulating layers118 of FIG. 1 include both the remaining portions of the layer 2202 andthe remaining horizontal (x-direction) portions of the gate oxide layer1702; the y-direction (vertical) portions of gate oxide layer 1702coincide with the isolation layers 120 of FIG. 1. At the bottom of eachtrench 125, p+ dopant is then implanted to form the p-type (p+) contactregions 112 of FIG. 1.

In a similar manner, in block 340 of FIG. 3C, a mask 2402 can be formedin the z-direction of FIG. 23 with openings 2404 that coincide with thep-type columns 106, as shown in FIG. 24. The materials underneath theopenings 2404—the portions of the layer 2202, the trench gates 111, andthe isolation layers 109 that are underneath those openings—can then beetched away to form the isolated poly region 211 and the trenches 225that expose the p-type columns 106 and the poly region 211. The p-typecolumn contact trench 225 is isolated from the gate poly 111 by anoxidation layer (gate oxide) 120, an n-type column 108, and anotheroxidation layer 120, and the trench 225 is also isolated by an oxidationlayer 120.

In block 342 of FIG. 3C, with reference also to FIGS. 23, 24, and 25,the mask(s) 2302 and 2402 are removed, and a metal is deposited into thetrenches 2304 and 2404 and over the insulating layer 118. A layer ofphotoresist is applied over the metal and then selectively removed toform a mask (not shown) with openings, and the metal under the openingsis etched away to form the source metal layer 124 of FIGS. 1 and 2, andto form a gate bus (not shown). Accordingly, both the p-type columns 106and the n-type columns 108 are electrically connected to the sourcemetal layer 124 as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. Consequently, the carriers inthe p-type columns 106 can be swept away rapidly when the resultant bodydiode is switched from on to off.

In block 344 of FIG. 3C, a passivation layer is optionally deposited. Amask can then be applied to etch the passivation layer to define gateand source pads.

As mentioned above, features described herein are applicable also top-channel SJ trench power MOSFET devices. FIG. 26 is a cross-sectionalview showing elements of a p-channel SJ trench power MOSFET device 2600according to an embodiment of the present invention. The device 2600includes a drain electrode (not shown) on the bottom surface of a p+drain layer or substrate 2604. Alternating p− drift regions or p-typecolumns 2606 and n− drift regions or n-type columns 2608 are locatedabove the substrate 2604 to form a super junction. The columns 2606 ofp-type dopant are separated from the adjacent columns 2608 of n-typedopant by isolation layers or columns 110 to keep the n-type and p-typecolumns from diffusing into one another when the structure is heatedduring fabrication.

In the FIG. 26 embodiment, each n-type column 2608 is located under arespective polysilicon trench gate 111. The n-type columns 2608 areseparated from the trench gates 111 by a respective isolation layer 109.By aligning the trench gates 111 with the n-type columns 2608, the widthof the p-type columns 2606 can be reduced so that the trench gates canbe placed closer together.

A trench 125 is formed between adjacent trench gates 111, above thep-type columns 2606. The trench 125 is filled with a source metal 124.An n+ region (n-contact region 2612) separates the source metal 124 ineach trench 125 from a corresponding p-type column 2606. An n− region(n-body region 2614) is situated on each side of each trench 125,between the trench and a trench gate 111 and also between the sourcemetal 124 and a p-type column 2606. Also, p+ regions (p-source regions2616) are situated on opposite sides of each trench 125. The n-type bodyregions 2614 and p-type source regions 2616 are separated from arespective trench gate 111 by another isolation layer 120 (e.g., a gateoxide). An insulating layer 118 can be formed over each p-type sourceregion 2616 and each trench gate 111. The source metal layer 124 isformed over the insulating layer 118 and, as mentioned above, extendsinto the trenches 125.

According to an embodiment of the invention, the n-type columns 2608 arepicked up and electrically shorted to the source metal layer 124, in amanner similar to that shown in FIG. 2.

In summary, embodiments of SJ trench power MOSFET devices, andembodiments of methods for fabricating such devices, are described. Thefeatures described herein can be used in low voltage devices as well ashigh voltage devices such as 1000-volt power MOSFETs as an alternativeto split-gate, dual-trench and other conventional high voltage superjunction devices.

The foregoing descriptions of specific embodiments of the presentinvention have been presented for purposes of illustration anddescription. They are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit theinvention to the precise forms disclosed, and many modifications andvariations are possible in light of the above teaching. The embodimentswere chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of theinvention and its practical application, to thereby enable othersskilled in the art to best utilize the invention and various embodimentswith various modifications as are suited to the particular usecontemplated. It is intended that the scope of the invention be definedby the claims appended hereto and their equivalents.

What is claimed is:
 1. A super junction trench power metal oxidesemiconductor field effect transistor (MOSFET) device having a channelof first type dopant, said device comprising: a first column comprisinginsulating material that separates a column of second type dopant from afirst column of said first type dopant; a second column comprisinginsulating material that separates said column of said second typedopant from a second column of said first type dopant; a gate elementfor a field effect transistor, wherein said gate element is alignedbetween said first column of insulating material and said second columnof insulating material and is positioned above said column of saidsecond type dopant; and a trench formed between said gate element and anadjacent gate element, said trench extending into said first column ofsaid first type dopant, said trench filled with source metal.
 2. Thesuper junction trench power MOSFET device of claim 1 further comprisingan isolation layer that separates said gate element from said column ofsaid second type dopant.
 3. The super junction trench power MOSFETdevice of claim 1 wherein said first type dopant comprises n-type dopantand said second type dopant comprises p-type dopant.
 4. The superjunction trench power MOSFET device of claim 1 further comprising alayer of said source metal that is electrically shorted to said columnof said second type dopant.
 5. The super junction trench power MOSFETdevice of claim 4 wherein said layer of source metal is electricallyshorted to said column of said second type dopant in a direction that isorthogonal to the longitudinal axis of said column of said second typedopant.
 6. The super junction trench power MOSFET device of claim 1further comprising: a source region of said first type dopant disposedbetween said gate element and said trench; and a body region betweensaid source region and said first column of said first type dopant,wherein said trench extends above and below said source region and isalso adjacent said body region.
 7. The super junction trench powerMOSFET device of claim 1 wherein said trench is aligned with thelongitudinal axis of said first column of said first type dopant.
 8. Thesuper junction trench power MOSFET device of claim 7 wherein said trenchis separated from said first column of said first type dopant by aregion of said second type dopant.
 9. The super junction trench powerMOSFET device of claim 1 wherein said gate element is aligned with thelongitudinal axis of said column of said second type dopant.
 10. Thesuper junction trench power MOSFET device of claim 1 wherein said firsttype dopant comprises p-type dopant and said second type dopantcomprises n-type dopant.
 11. The super junction trench power MOSFETdevice of claim 1 further comprising a third column of insulatingmaterial adjacent said gate element and a fourth column of insulatingmaterial adjacent said gate element, wherein said first column ofinsulating material and said third column of insulating materialtogether provide a continuous boundary that separates said gate elementand said column of said second type dopant from said first column ofsaid first type dopant, and wherein said second column of insulatingmaterial and said fourth column of insulating material together providea continuous boundary that separates said gate element and said columnof said second type dopant from said second column of said first typedopant.